Results 4,861-4,880 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am concerned at any reports of violence against human rights defenders in Colombia. I would fully expect the Colombian government, no less than any other government, to protect its citizens from attack. Human rights defenders and trade union representatives can be particularly vulnerable in this regard and additional vigilance is required in preserving their safety. The Deputy will be...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The person referred to by the Deputy first came to the attention of my Department on 15 November 2008 when one of his sisters contacted our Embassy in The Hague seeking assistance in locating him. She advised that he had not been in touch with his family since 23 October which was unusual for him. Officials from my Department have remained in contact with his family since then and provided...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The humanitarian situation facing the Sahrawi people is a matter of profound concern. The majority of refugees from the Western Saharan conflict live in four camps in the desert regions of Tindouf in Algeria, all of which rely heavily on international aid. Ireland is one of a very small number of donors who have been involved in the provision of humanitarian support to the Sahrawi refugee...

Written Answers — Election Observation Missions: Election Observation Missions (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Parliamentary elections in Armenia took place on 6 May. They were observed by an Election Observation Mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), as well as delegations from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, and the European Parliament. The EU, other than the European Parliament, does not organise...

Written Answers — Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe: Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The OSCE, as the world's largest regional security organisation, plays an important role in ensuring peace, stability and security within the area which it covers (sometimes described as "from Vancouver to Vladivostok"). The collective goal of the Organisation, as agreed at the Astana Summit in December 2010, is to work towards a genuine Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian security community, rooted...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: On 21 April, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2043 (2012) authorising the establishment, for an initial period of up to 90 days, of the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS). On 24 April, in response to a request from the UN to participate in this mission, the Government approved the deployment of up 6 members of the Defence Forces to UNSMIS. On 11 May six members...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am monitoring closely the case of Mr Nabeel Rajab, who was arrested on 5 May on his return to Bahrain from Lebanon for comments he had made on a social networking site criticising the Ministry of the Interior in Bahrain. Mr. Rajab has now been charged in court on 17 May with inciting protests through the use of social networks. Mr. Rajab's case highlights issues regarding respect for...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As I have previously stated in this House, the decision to close the resident Embassy to the Holy See will not be reversed in the immediate term. I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate that any discussion of the basis on which it might be possible to re-establish a resident Embassy in the future is best conducted in confidence and I do not intend to comment further on this aspect of the matter.

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 131 together. I am aware of the case that has been raised by the Deputy, one which officials from my Department have been closely monitoring. It is my understanding that the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, which is tasked with the delivery of prison healthcare services and the administration of medications within the Northern Ireland...

Written Answers — Irish Communities Abroad: Irish Communities Abroad (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 124, 135, 141 and 199 together. The welfare of the Irish abroad is a very important priority for the Government. There are particular concerns in the United States where addressing the position of the undocumented Irish and reforming our migration arrangements are priorities for the Government in its contacts with the US Administration and Congress. The...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland has 56 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions as well as 10 Consulates General and other offices overseas. While the specific activity of each mission in relation to the promotion of Ireland's economic and trade interests will necessarily differ, depending on market conditions and other factors, bilateral Embassies and Consulates in particular have a role to play in promoting trade and...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The staffing information for 2012 requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below in respect of Missions abroad. The figures take account of officers of other Government Departments and offices whose salaries and other costs are in some cases borne by the parent Department or office. Also included is a small number of staff indirectly engaged through local employment agencies....

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland's National Action Plan in relation to UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security was officially launched in November 2011. The Plan sets out how Ireland will promote and implement the objectives of UNSCR 1325 in its programme support activities, diplomatic advocacy and policy-making across the interrelated areas of peace, security and development. ...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The issue of prisons within Northern Ireland and the conditions contained within is a devolved matter related to the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland and an executive agency of this Department, the Northern Ireland Prison Service. Arising from the Hillsborough Agreement of February 2010 which led to the devolution of policing and justice, Dame Ann Owers and the Prison Review Team...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The next session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) will take place in Geneva from 21 May to 4 June 2012. Fourteen countries will be reviewed at this session, including Indonesia. Under the UPR process, each UN member state is subject to a thorough review of its human rights by the UN Human Rights Council. The reviews are based on information provided by the state concerned,...

Written Answers — International Summits: International Summits (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As Ireland is not a member of NATO, the question of attendance at the NATO Summit in Chicago does not arise. In accordance with usual practice, an invitation was extended to the Taoiseach to attend a meeting which will take place on the margins of the NATO Summit between NATO Heads of State and Government and non-NATO countries who contribute to the International Security Assistance Force...

Written Answers — European Union Budget: European Union Budget (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The size of the European Union budget is governed by the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which specifies the limits for spending under the various budget headings for seven years. The Commission made a formal proposal for the MFF 2014-2020 in June of last year. This proposal, which provided for a maximum of €1025 billion over seven years, is now the subject of active negotiations...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156, 163 and 182 together. The various measures included in the package agreed at Weston Park in August 2001 addressed four issues to assist in the successful implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: policing, normalisation, the stability of the institutions and decommissioning. Proposed draft legislation by the British Government to deal with this...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Following the decision to close the Embassy to the Holy See it has been decided to relocate both the offices of the Embassy to Italy and the residence of the Ambassador to Italy to the state-owned Villa Spada. It is expected that the transfer will be completed this year and that the full year rental savings, amounting to €445,000, will be realised in 2013. As I have previously stated in...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Passports have issued to all three applicants. The passports of the two older children seeking renewals were issued on 9 and 11 May, 2012 and that of the youngest child, a first time applicant, was issued on 17 May.